Ba’ s future at Newcastle United has been a constant source of speculation since his advisers leaked the existence of a £7 million release clause 12 months ago, but he caused a stir on Tyneside this week when he openly admitted Arsenal were “attractive” to him.

Newcastle are far from happy with the Senegal international, who made his comments on French television, and Pardew will discuss with managing director Derek Llambias what action to take.

Ba also criticised the team’s tactics and, as the interview was not sanctioned by the club’s press department, he is in breach of contract and could be fined two weeks wages, about £90,000.

It remains to be seen whether a player who has been hankering for a move in the last two transfer windows finally leaves, particularly as there are doubts about whether interested clubs will be able to insure him for the value of his £7million release clause because of a long-standing knee problem – but Newcastle appear to have decided they will sign another striker regardless.

Ba was given a final new contract offer by Newcastle last month in a last attempt to remove the clause, but his representatives have not even responded to it and are demanding wages well in excess of Newcastle’s budget.

The club have been scouting the versatile forward since 2010 and were first linked with a move for him in the summer. Although a bid was contemplated, they were given little encouragement by Marseille and did not submit a formal offer.

But, with Newcastle willing to pay the entire fee up front, the French club appear to be willing to sell next month as they will be able to reinvest the money quickly.

However, Newcastle remain wary that news of the negotiations has been leaked to try to spark a bidding war, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers all previously linked with the 25 year-old, but it seems Rémy is also keen on the move to Tyneside.

“They are a very good team,” said Rémy. “They are a big club with good players, very good fans and a nice stadium that is always full.

“The window opens in January, and there will be speculation from now until the window closes – if I have to leave then all parties must be happy. I have a contract so let’s wait and see what happens.”

Marseille had been interested in taking one of Newcastle’s players, thought to be Gabriel Obertan, as part of the deal, although this will not happen as manager Alan Pardew does not want to lose anyone.

Newcastle supporters have reacted positively to the news they are trying to sign Rémy, although opinion on Ba is split. Although he has been one of the team’s best players, he is starting to anger many as he is happy to let his advisers engineer a move for him.

The former West Ham forward has scored 11 goals in a team who have struggled with injuries and the drain of a Europa League campaign, but his partnership with Papiss Cissé has not clicked and it is understood the Senegalese pair are finding it difficult to get on.

The arrival of Rémy will be a big boost, with Pardew also hoping to bring in Lille right-back Mathieu Debuchy. He admitted the club had made a mistake in the summer when they signed just one player, midfielder Vurnon Anita from Ajax.

“We got that wrong,” said Pardew, when answering questions from fans in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

“Myself, [owner] Mike Ashley and Derek all agree we should have bought one more senior player in here. For whatever reason it did not happen. The owner has great faith in my ability and I have to reward that with what I think when we make an error and say we have made a mistake.

“He accepts that and as a team we have to learn from it. Myself, [chief scout] Graham [Carr], Derek and Mike needed another player in and we did not get him, but it is not Graham’s fault, Derek’s fault or Mike’s fault or mine — it is a collective thing and we have to take that all on the chin.”